Hyperthyroid Treatment Unit

We at pet & vet are delighted to announce that we have been granted approval by the National Radiation Laboratory to treat cats suffering from Hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid). This treatment is administered in our specially designed Hyperthyroid treatment facility.

Signs and symptom's of hyperthyroidism

Increased appetite often accompanied by weight loss
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Behavioural changes including restlessness, aggression and vocalization
Dull, scurfy or moth-eaten looking coat
Excessive drinking
Blindness - you may see big dark eyes due to retinal bleeding from high blood pressure
Clinically, we sometimes detect rapid heart rates often accompanied by murmurs (thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy) and elevated blood pressure (hypertension) and sometimes kidneydisease

Causes

The thyroid is a small gland consisting of two equal parts about the size of a peanut located in the neck of the cat. It uses dietary iodine to produce the hormone thyroxine which controls the basic metabolic rate or activity of the cat. Hyper- (too much) and hypo- (too little) thyroidism occurs in both dogs and cats but the most common condition seen is hyperthyroidism in cats. It is caused by a benign growth which is in either one or both parts of the gland. The underlying cause remains unclear but commercial diets may play a role as many of these cases do have underlying bowel problems.

Diagnosis

Clinical signs as described will alert your Veterinarian to the possibility of hyperthyroidism. The thyroid gland in some cases is so enlarged your Veterinarian will be able to feel it in the neck. The diagnosis is confirmed by blood test to measure the thyroid hormone ie T4 level. Usually blood drawn from the jugular in the neck can be collected with no need for sedation but because some hyperthyroid cases can be a touch aggressive sedation may be necessary. Results are available within 24 hours. Some cases with classic symptoms having “normal” T4 results require retesting in 2-4 weeks and very occasionally some patients may require more complex tests which your Veterinarian will discuss with you.

We advise our customers to have kidney and liver function tests performed on this blood because the outcome of these will affect the treatment plan if your cat is found to be hyperthyroid.

We also advise a urine test accompanying the blood tests.

Treatment

There are three treatments for hyperthyroidism in your cat:

Surgical removal of the abnormal thyroid gland.This approach is favoured by some Veterinarians in cases where the gland feels obviously enlarged. It has the draw back of sometimes leaving the cat with too little thyroid hormone which then requires medicating and there is also a danger of damaging the small parathyroid glands which control calcium metabolism. Such possible sequelae and the availability of other good treatments now makes this choice less attractive.

Medical treatment orally with carbamizol (neomercazol) tablets once or twice daily for life.This drug counteracts the T4 in the blood but does not destroy the over producing thyroid cells. Blood testing is advised six monthly to monitor the dose rate. This treatment is commonly used but giving tablets for the rest of your cat’s life can become tiresome, especially if they are difficult to handle as is the tendency of many hyperthyroid cats. Carbamizol can also be administered percutaneously with drops onto the skin. This treatment is now available but is even more expensive than oral tablets.

I-131 or radioactive iodine injection.This is now the treatment of choice for most cats with hyperthyroidism.pet & vet in Milford has now been licensed by the National Radiation Laboratory to offer this treatment. Here is what you need to know about this treatment:

Treatment involves a single, painless low volume injection in the scruff of the neck.
It cures 95% of cases with a single injection and virtually 100% with a second treatment.
We offer a free second treatment if the first fails.
Once cured, re-occurrence may occur in 1% of cats during the following six year period
We also offer a free treatment for these cases.

›› The radio-iodine used in the procedure is absorbed only by the overactive thyroid cells killing them but not affecting any other cells throughout the body. This is because radiation only travels 1mm within body tissues.

›› Any excess iodine is rapidly excreted via the saliva and urine. To ensure your safety as owners, we isolate the patients for at least seven days during which time you will not be able to visit but you can observe them from a viewing room adjacent to the treatment facility.

›› Our specially designed treatment room is equipped with large cages and climate control to ensure the comfort of your cat.

›› We use a state of the art radiation monitoring device to be sure when you collect your cat you are in no danger of any residual radiation. However, for the first two weeks after discharge you will be advised not to have prolonged close contact with your cat and to take extra care when disposing of litter.

›› If you feel unable to comply with such guidelines or if a family member is pregnant we are happy to keep your cat in our treatment centre but not confined to its cage for a further week or two as necessary. Fees for this service in additional to the standard seven day stay.

›› Not all cats are suitable candidates for treatment especially those with impaired kidney function. For this reason kidney function tests are essential before treating with I-131.

›› A follow up blood test four weeks after treatment is necessary to confirm whether the treatment has been successful.

I-131 treatment fees

Fees for I-131 treatments are available from your Veterinarian or callpet & vet(09) 489 6263

Included in the fees are the following services:

›› Admission, consultation and health check

›› Sedation of patients and administration of radioactive iodine, I-131 by injection by specially trained consultant

›› Seven days quarantine with daily health checks and monitoring with a radiation detection device and separate containment of waste.

Please contact your Veterinarian or pet & vet to book.